Mark Ashton, Viachaslau Filimonau and Aarni Tuomi
Although virtual worlds, such as the Metaverse, can disrupt the hospitality sector, few empirical investigations have critically evaluated the scope and scale of this disruption…
Abstract
Purpose
Although virtual worlds, such as the Metaverse, can disrupt the hospitality sector, few empirical investigations have critically evaluated the scope and scale of this disruption from an industry perspective. This study aims to rectify this knowledge gap by exploring the opportunities and challenges of the Metaverse as seen by hospitality professionals.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a Delphi study conducted with UK-based senior hospitality industry practitioners experienced in designing and implementing digital innovations within their organisations.
Findings
The Metaverse is most likely to be adopted by hospitality organisations willing and able to take risks, such as large and/or chain-affiliated enterprises. The Metaverse will not replace traditional hospitality services but supplement and enhance them with new layers of service. The main applications are in the context of events and experiences. The Metaverse will also provide the “try before you buy” option, revealing the opportunities to design digital twins of physical businesses. Young and technology-savvy individuals are most likely to first adopt the Metaverse. The key challenges of the adoption are attributed to the technological unpreparedness of hospitality organisations; market immaturity; inflated customer expectations; a skills gap among hospitality employees; and regulatory issues. These challenges require the engagement of various stakeholders to create an operational and monitoring framework for hospitality organisations to embrace the Metaverse.
Practical implications
This study highlights how the Metaverse can disrupt the hospitality industry at the level of strategic planning and business operations.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical investigations of the potential of the Metaverse from the viewpoint of hospitality industry practitioners.
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Lisa H. Rosen, Linda J. Rubin, Savannah Dali, Daisie M. Llanes, Ahissa Lopez, Ashton E. Romines and Samantha A. Saunders
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered daily life for Gen Z. The purpose of this study was to examine parental perceptions of the pandemic’s effects on their children’s peer…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered daily life for Gen Z. The purpose of this study was to examine parental perceptions of the pandemic’s effects on their children’s peer relationships. As children sought peer connection during the pandemic, technology usage soared. The second purpose of the current study was to assess how greater time on social media affected adjustment among Gen Z and whether this effect was mediated by experiences of cyber victimization.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 250 U.S. parent-child dyads participated in the study. Parents reported on their children’s social media use and described how they believed the pandemic affected their children’s peer relationships. Child participants were transitioning to middle school and reported on cyber victimization and adjustment.
Findings
Thematic analysis of parental reflections revealed three themes: children spent more time online since the onset of the pandemic, there were negative implications of increased time online and there were positive and protective implications of being online. Analysis also indicated significant indirect effects of social media use on internalizing and externalizing problems through victimization.
Originality/value
Parents reported Gen Z continues to use electronic forms of communication and social media at high rates even after pandemic-related restrictions eased with some suggesting that their children prefer digital over face-to-face communication because they have become accustomed to this way of connecting and may find it easier than in-person interaction. Current findings highlight concerns about this increased time online as social media use negatively affected adjustment via cyber victimization.
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Fang Liu, Rajni Mala, Parmod Chand and John Dumay
Investors and other stakeholders depend on financial reports prepared by accountants to make informed decisions. During the aftermaths of unprecedented events, such as COVID-19…
Abstract
Purpose
Investors and other stakeholders depend on financial reports prepared by accountants to make informed decisions. During the aftermaths of unprecedented events, such as COVID-19, the need investors have for high-quality financial information is greater than ever. The purpose of this study is to examine whether financial reporting judgments made in groups rather than as individuals result in a better reflection of the economic substance of a transaction.
Design/methodology/approach
To examine the benefits that decision-making in groups may have on the reporting judgments of accountants, we conducted an experiment in which experienced accountants, located in Australia, were asked to make a decision over a lease classification. Each of the 87 respondents were either assigned to make their decision individually or as part of a three-member group.
Findings
Our results indicate that accountants in groups of three make significantly more accurate judgments than accountants who make judgments individually. The results also support the presumption that accountants in groups are significantly more confident in their judgments than accountants who make judgments individually.
Research limitations/implications
We contribute to the important discussion that decision-making in groups has the potential to improve the quality of financial reporting by better reflecting economic reality.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to examine the merits of group judgments and decision-making when interpreting and applying the International Financial Reporting Standards.
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Ibilola Ogundare, Rebecca Kassa, Omar Maali, Brian Lines, Jake B. Smithwick and Kenneth T. Sullivan
The construction industry is facing worker shortages, and the resulting competition for skilled workers has increased employee turnover in the sector. Consequently, construction…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry is facing worker shortages, and the resulting competition for skilled workers has increased employee turnover in the sector. Consequently, construction and engineering firms are struggling to attract and retain employees to meet current demands for construction projects. The regular inflow of new employees, who likely need training, may affect organizational and project performance. Construction firms can boost performance by assessing and then honing workers’ skills, including soft skills.
Design/methodology/approach
One way to assess individuals’ soft skills is to use personality assessments. This study used three personality assessments— – the HEXACO Personality Inventory, Emotional Intelligence Diagnostic and Q-DiSC 101 Behavioral Assessment – to identify the traits of general contractor project managers; sheet metal and air conditioning field leaders (specialty field leaders) and sheet metal, air conditioning and electrical project managers (specialty project managers) in the United States for job role transition purposes. The groups’ mean scores for each assessment component were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-test to identify statistically significant differences in the personality traits of the three groups – specifically between specialty field leaders and general contractor project managers as well as between specialty field leaders and specialty project managers.
Findings
This study found that the personality characteristics of workers in these job roles varied. One-way ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences in mean personality factor scores among specialty field leaders, specialty project managers and general contractor project managers. Independent t-tests showed significant differences in patience, forgiveness, fearfulness, etc. identifying the differences between specialty field leaders and general contractor project managers. Similarly, results highlighted significant differences in modesty, inquisitiveness and sociability, among others, for specialty field leaders and specialty project managers.
Practical implications
Understanding the personality traits associated with skills needed for leadership across construction roles empowers companies to refine human resource strategies. Personality assessments can complement recruitment, identifying strong candidates for leadership positions. Additionally, these insights can optimize leadership development programs and facilitate career transitions for specialty field leaders by pinpointing suitable candidates and tailoring training programs for successful role changes.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the field in two ways. First, it focuses on personality traits within the specific context of construction leadership, providing valuable insights for companies seeking to optimize their leadership teams. Second, by exploring the personality differences between these roles, the study goes beyond individual job requirements and examines the potential challenges and opportunities for career transitions within construction. This information can be used to inform training programs and career development pathways for construction professionals.
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Cinzia Calluso and Maria Giovanna Devetag
This study aims to investigate some individual factors that may positively/negatively impact upon the willingness to use AI-assisted hiring procedures (AI-WtU). Specifically, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate some individual factors that may positively/negatively impact upon the willingness to use AI-assisted hiring procedures (AI-WtU). Specifically, the authors contribute to the ongoing discussion by testing the specific role of individuals’ personality traits and their attitude toward technology acceptance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data have been collected from a cohort of workers (n = 157) to explore their individual level of AI-WtU, their personality traits and level of technology acceptance, along with a series of control variables including age, gender, education, employment status, knowledge and previous experience of AI-assisted hiring.
Findings
The results obtained show the significant role played by a specific personality trait –conscientiousness – and technology acceptance in shaping the level of AI-WtU. Importantly, technology acceptance also mediates the relationship between AI-WtU and conscientiousness, thus suggesting that conscientious people may be more willing to engage in AI-assisted practices, as they see technologies as means of improving reliability and efficiency. Further, the study also shows that previous experience with AI-assisted hiring in the role of job applicants has a negative effect on AI-WtU, suggesting a prevailing negative experience with such tools, and the consequent urge for their improvement.
Originality/value
This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to test the potential role of personality traits in shaping employees AI-WtU and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue by additionally testing the joint effect of technology acceptance, age, gender, education, employment status and knowledge and previous experience of AI-assisted hiring in shaping individual AI-WtU.
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Taofeeq Durojaye Moshood, Fatimah Mahmud, Gusman Nawanir, Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad, Fazeeda Mohamad and Airin AbdulGhani
The study explores the sustainability of biodegradable materials as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics across diverse applications. These materials decompose…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explores the sustainability of biodegradable materials as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics across diverse applications. These materials decompose harmlessly within a specific timeframe, contributing to a holistic lifecycle. Yet, their widespread adoption depends on convincing consumers, manufacturers and regulators of their effectiveness. An empirical study was undertaken to investigate the determinants impacting the sustainability of biodegradable plastics.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a quantitative approach, seeking to discern the factors shaping the endurance of these materials in Malaysia. The study encompassed 316 viable responses, with outcomes from the PLS-SEM analysis offering partial support to the research framework.
Findings
The study reveals that individual characteristics strongly influence the sustainability of biodegradable plastics and are essential factors in determining behavioural intentions related to sustainability, such as purchasing environmentally friendly packaged food products.
Practical implications
The study provides practical implications for government and corporate sectors to design effective strategies encouraging consumers to choose biodegradable plastics. Regular awareness campaigns should be conducted to increase consumer engagement in environmental concerns and reduce the use of non-eco-friendly packaging in the public sector.
Originality/value
Previous literature has overlooked the sustainability aspects of the biodegradable plastics market, leaving a gap in understanding the influential factors and their sustainability, especially in the Malaysian context. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the determinants that govern the sustainability of biodegradable plastics.
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QuratulAin Burhan and Muhammad Asif Khan
The purpose of this study is to find out the role of positive personality traits such as honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to find out the role of positive personality traits such as honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience (HEXACO) in the development of empowering leadership, and also determine the impact that mastery goal orientation and work engagement play in linking the effects of an empowering leader on the creative performance of their followers.
Design/methodology/approach
The quantitative research design is used along with a deductive approach to achieve the objectives of the study. Data from 337 employees in the telecom sector was collected through self-administered questionnaires using the purposive sampling method. SEM-AMOS methods were used to conduct the analysis, and regression analysis was used to test the formulated hypotheses.
Findings
The study’s findings indicated that each component of HEXACO (honesty-humility beta values = 0.086, p < 0.05, emotionality values as β = 0.275, p < 0.001, extroverts β = 0.217, p < 0.001, consciousness β = 0.277, p < 0.001 and agreeableness β = 0.063) played a significant role in fostering empowered leadership. The results also suggested that there is a sequential mediation of mastery goal orientation and work engagement in the relationship between empowering leadership and creative performance.
Originality/value
This study is unique since it covers the antecedents and outcomes of empowering leadership. For antecedents, the study used the HEXACO personality model with all its elements to identify its role in the development of empowering leadership. Moreover, the study also used mastery goal orientation and work engagement as sequential mediators to check the impact of empowering leadership on the creative performance of employees.
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Muhammad Zubair Alam, Muhammad Rafiq, Adnan Alafif, Sobia Nasir and Jawad Bashir
Research in the field of intrapreneurial behaviour (IB) is developing in terms of the personality results of employees in various occupations. An important developing field is the…
Abstract
Purpose
Research in the field of intrapreneurial behaviour (IB) is developing in terms of the personality results of employees in various occupations. An important developing field is the study of how personality traits (PTs) influence occupational results. While previous theories like situationism focus on the impact of situations, the role of situations as a catalyst for personality in the context of IB has not been explored. Theories like person-job fit have also established the personality-job resemblance for performance measures. This paper aims to conceptualize the activation of PTs for IB responses from employees using trait activation theory (TAT).
Design/methodology/approach
The TAT explains the personality-triggering effect in diverse situations for performance measures. Plenty of research studies have established IB of employees as a performance measure at the individual level that further rejuvenates organisational performance measures. The current study aims to conceptualise how personality and situational factors interact to affect IB outcomes in firms using the TAT. Employees in different occupations utilise personality coherent conflict handling styles (CHS) to manage conflict situations, which might serve as situational cues to activate personality effects in employees engaged in IB.
Findings
A theoretical framework for understanding how situational cues activate PTs for IB development has been proposed in this study.
Practical implications
The findings of the study have repercussions for pedagogy and the practices that are currently used in human resource management.
Originality/value
The study concludes with a series of propositions by arguing and supporting literature on existing conceptions of the trait activation process. Attempting to advance the conceptualisation of TAT, the study also offered implications for theory, pedagogy and practice regarding the relationship between PTs, CHS and IB.
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Health systems worldwide are hampered by disconnects between governance, management, and operations, which negatively impact on their ability to deliver efficient, effective, and…
Abstract
Purpose
Health systems worldwide are hampered by disconnects between governance, management, and operations, which negatively impact on their ability to deliver efficient, effective, and safe healthcare services. This paper shows how insights from the Viable System Model (VSM) can help us to conceptualise health system disconnects impacting specialist clinical services and develop solutions to address organisational fragmentation.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study of a specialist clinical service was undertaken, where the VSM was used to guide semi-structured interviews and workshops with clinicians and managers and analysis of findings.
Findings
The VSM provides a coherent way to conceptualise the disconnects and identify their structural underpinnings. Three novel organisational pathologies emerged from the study.
Research limitations/implications
This New Zealand-based study was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of major health system reform, introducing uncertainty into service provision that may have impacted stakeholders’ views.
Practical implications
The three novel pathologies affect how health systems define their services, their understanding of the management function, and the importance of coordination. The resulting clarity of functioning could improve service quality, staff and patient satisfaction, and the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare service delivery.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the VSM literature on organisational pathologies by providing three novel pathologies for a perspective that may be useful beyond healthcare and invites consideration of health system disconnects as a coherent field of study.
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Zahid Shafait and Umar Farooq Sahibzada
Dark triad (DT) personality traits, that is, Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, are socially unenthusiastic and predict a range of antisocial behaviors. Academic…
Abstract
Purpose
Dark triad (DT) personality traits, that is, Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, are socially unenthusiastic and predict a range of antisocial behaviors. Academic entitlement, similarly, demonstrates the students’ rising temptation of higher grades without putting corresponding efforts. Based on coercion theory, this research investigated power distance as mediator between DT and academic entitlement (externalized responsibility and entitled expectations). Further, this study examined DT model of personality as a predictor of academic entitlement in Chinese higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
Chinese HEIs were ascertained for data collection. Students (with bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees) responded to 719 questionnaires for data analysis. Hypothesized relationships were examined through partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM).
Findings
This study established positive and significant direct link between DT and academic entitlement. The indirect effect through power distance was found insignificant between the relationship of DT and academic entitlement.
Originality/value
Based on coercion theory, this study extends the prevailing literature through unexplored effects of DT on academic entitlement and role of power distance in Chinese HEIs. This study validated the effect of DT on academic entitlement; however, direct-only no-mediation of power distance between the relationships is novel in Chinese HEIs. Moreover, power distance as mediator is novel between the relationships. Hence, this study provides an understanding of mentioned associations and contributes to the literature.